And... They're Off!

Aired during "Let's Talk Politics with Adrienne Washington" segment on Lyndia Grant’s "Think on These Things" WYCB-AM show (1340 AM)  7/27/12, 6-6:30 p.m. http://www.myspiritdc.com/


Well, this week in the DMV they’re off… off to the races, off to the games, off and running for a special election that has yet to be set!

First Lady Michele Obama is leading the Presidential delegation to London and the Olympic Games pushing her healthy lifestyle program “Let’s Move.” Meanwhile her husband is campaigning stateside making appearances again in the important swing state of Virginia and appearing at the National Urban League convention in New Orleans where he touted his middle class agenda which he claims helps African Americans and where he unveiled an education initiative aimed at improving academic achievement and opportunities for African American children, in the tradition of the Urban League. Some say President Obama can bet on support from black voters again in November, but with increasingly loud dissenters, such as scholar Cornel West and talk show host Tavis Smiley, there is No Way President Obama could have passed up an invitation to the NAACP convention, the National Association of Black Journalists, and the Urban League in the same election year, if he is hoping to get even half the number of blacks to the polls in November as he did in 2008.

Speaking of betting, Cha-ching $$$$$. Do you hear the sound of slot machines on the shores of the Potomac with a view of the Washington Monument in full view? The biggest and most anticipated development in the DMV this week was Gov. Martin O’Malley’s controversial call for a special General Assembly session on Aug. 9 just to deal with gaming, specifically in Prince George’s County, which will undoubtedly upset the African American religious community which has fought against additional gaming in the past. It is a foregone conclusion that legislators will approve a referendum whereby voters can decide if they want more slots and Los Vegas style gambling, primarily at National Harbor. Here is where your listeners may participate in the political process by letting their state representative know how they feel about this move for a special industry by calling, writing and joining up with supporters or proponents depending on what you want to happen. Most folks think this is a done deal and the politicians are just window-dressing by going through the legislative process when , in fact, it’s clear they want to see more slots at National Harbor but are seeking cover by stressing that the measure will bring more jobs to the county which has been hit hard by foreclosures and high unemployment.

There is some parlor room betting going on in DC, too. Would-be mayoral contenders are already soliciting supporters and donors for their fantasy candidacy-by-default sweepstakes, acting as if a special election is a foregone conclusion, and as if Mayor Vincent Gray has already been forced from office by prosecutors or the court of public opinion although he has been charged with NADA! The best bet has been placed on number 31, which is the Aug. 31 date that Gray would have to be ousted in order for the DC Board of Elections to have enough time to hold a special election before the end of the year. Now, roll the dice on the first white mayor since DC won limited Home Rule in 1973!

Don’t forget to check your voter registration status and read my blog at awashingtonnote@blogspot.com.

Gray Gone by Aug. 31?

From the "Let's Talk Politics with Adrienne Washngton" segment on Lyndia Grant's "Think on These Things" radio show on WYCB-1340AM, MySpiritDC.com, Friday, 7/20/12, 6-6:30 pm :

Gray Gone by August 31?


Today President Obama said “is not a day for politics” as he canceled a campaign event in Florida in memorial to the victims of the Colorado movie shooting in which a deranged gunman took at least 12 lives. And, I’m sure I speak for you and your listeners by sending our prayers to the families and loved ones of all those involved. And, on another day, we will discuss the political pressure exerted by the National Rifle Association and other Second Amendment groups that allows America to be the only Western nation where an individual can literally become a one-man heavily-armed militia able to kill masses.

However, we would be remiss if we did not give a passing mention to a few political happenings this week which your listeners in the DMV (District, Maryland and Virginia) might want to pay attention to:

First off, DC Ministers, Rev. Willie Wilson and Rev. Grayland Hagler, staged a supporters’ rally in front of the Wilson Building this week to counter the cries for the Mayor Vincent Gray’s resignation. My sources tell me that DC Mayor Vincent Gray will be forced out of office by Aug. 31 by federal prosecutors, the city’s business stakeholders and the court of public opinion, that mainly being at the behest of the Washington Post which released a questionable poll this week. That poll contends that the majority of DC voters, including African Americans want Mayor Gray to resign, a majority said they would now vote for former Mayor Adrian Fenty, but that none of those named as possible mayoral contenders, which include DC Council members Jack Evans, Muriel Bowser and Tommy Wells catches the voters’ fancy either. The Aug. 31 ouster date is being circulated by speculators – and DC loves nothing more than a guessing game -- in order for the Board of Elections to organize yet another special election in the District this year, potentially the third one. However, As I said last week when a third member of Gray's 2010 campaign, public relations consultant Eugenia Harris plead guilty to campaign fraud for operating a $650,000 “shadow campaign,” Mr. Gray should not resign until he has either been charged and convicted of a crime, or the DC voters go through the legal political process to recall him.

Speaking of polls, which I will remind you are mere “snapshots” that take the voter’s temperature which can be like Washington’s unpredictable weather, the latest Quinnipiac poll of Virginia voters shows President Obama losing ground even after his campaign sweeps through this battleground state, and he is now even with Republican Mitt Romney, at 44 to 44 percent. The only good news here is that the president fares slightly better with Independents at 40-to 38 percent. Also, these numbers don’t seem to have any bearing on the upcoming US Senate between former governors Democrat Tim Kaine and Republican George Allen, according to last week’s poll results. Those contenders also seem to be neck-in-neck in this rematch that has been overshadowed by the oversaturation of presidential campaign adds.

In Maryland?

You’ve got to give some props to the Montgomery County Council which not only put PEPCO on the hot seat for its poor performance after massive power outages, but also put the PSC, the Public Service Commission literally on the firing line, calling on Gov. Martin O’Malley to replace them ALL, because the local offiicials charge they have not done their jobs of holding PEPCO to higher standards and punitive sanctions.

On the gambling front, some hope on the shores of National Harbor, it is still anyone’s bet if Gov. O'Malley will call a special session to placate Prince George’s leaders who want lucrative slots plus Las Vegas style gambling in their jurisdiction. This debate is setting the stage for the 2014 gubernatorial Democratic primary race pitting Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, who supports the special session and gambling in his home base, against Comptroller Peter Franchot, who is against the special session because he contends that move sets up a tax break for the gaming industry.

That’s it for the DMV this week, but remember to check your voter registration status ASAP. And read my blog at awashingtonnote.blogspot.com

Join us on WYCB- 1340 AM on Fridays at 6 p.m.

"Let's Talk Politics":
Again, I know it's been awhile and I am testing a new post. In the last month, I have teamed up with motivational speaker Lyndia Grant who now has a show on WYCB-1340AM, MySpirtDC.com to contribute a brief segment, "Let's Talk Politics with Adrienne Washington." Her name;not mine. The show airs from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Fridays with my 5-minute segments airing around 6:20 p.m. Give us a listen.!
One of the main concerns I discuss is the new voter ID laws in a lot of states which some, such as the National Urban League and the NAACP contend are voter suppression tactics, pushed by Republicans, to thwart minority voters. US Attorney General Eric Holder has even called the voters ID laws a modern day form of "poll taxes," which were imposed during Reconstruction to deter black voters. In any case, I have been telling our WYCB listeners to make sure they check their voter registration status so they will not be surprised come time to cast their ballots in November.